AUTOMATISM
Au*tom"a*tism, n.
Defn: The state or quality of being automatic; the power of self- moving; automatic, mechanical, or involuntary action. (Metaph.) A theory as to the activity of matter.
AUTOMATON
Au*tom"a*ton, n.; pl. L. Automata (, E. Automatons (. Etym: [L. fr.
Gr. ma, man, to strive, think, cf. Mean, v. i.]
1. Any thing or being regarded as having the power of spontaneous motion or action. Huxley. So great and admirable an automaton as the world. Boyle. These living automata, human bodies. Boyle.
2. A self-moving machine, or one which has its motive power within itself; — applied chiefly to machines which appear to imitate spontaneously the motions of living beings, such as men, birds, etc.
AUTOMATOUS
Au*tom"a*tous, a. Etym: [L. automatus, Gr. Automaton.]
Defn: Automatic. [Obs.] "Automatous organs." Sir T. Browne.
AUTOMIXTE SYSTEM
Au`to*mixte" system. (Mach.)
Defn: A system (devised by Henri Pieper, a Belgian) of driving automobiles employing a gasoline engine and an auxiliary reversible dynamo. When there is an excess of power the dynamo is driven by the engine so as to charge a small storage battery; when there is a deficiency of power the dynamo reverses and acts as an auxiliary motor. Sometimes called Pieper system. — Automixte car, etc.
AUTOMOBILE
Au`to*mo"bile, n. [F.]